In 1720 it hosted the first meetings of the St. George's Society, which today is known as the Sons of the Society of St. George, a Christian organization involved in financial assistance to English colonists upon arrival to America. In 1747 it hosted the founding of the St. Andrew's Society.

St. George and the Dragon, a sculpture on display in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Famous insignia of the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia.

In 1756, Benjamin Franklin used Tun Tavern as the place to recruit militia for Pennsylvania. The tavern has also hosted meetings for such colonial icons as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and even the Continental Congress.

By 1775, many colonists were fed up with King George's greed, King George's law and King George's Redcoats. The concept of being a free people had grown from something being wished for, to a strong desire that had finally manifested and come to life. The First Continental Congress had commissioned Commodore Esek Hopkins to oversee the Continental Navy, and the Second Continental Congress was introduced to the plans of a Quaker inn keeper.

The Quaker inn keeper and his friends, had come up with an idea; a way to help in the colonists fight for freedom. On November 10, 1775, their idea was brought to life in Tun Tavern, where the first two battalions of Continental Marines were recruited by by tavern owner, Captain Robert Mullen and his cohort, Captain Samuel Nicholas.

Honoring the few and the proud ...

Captain Nicholas moved quickly. Before that year was over, he had raised five companies of Continental Marines before they gathered to ship out, supporting Commodore Hopkins crew, on the Alfred , bound for the Bahamas.

The job of the first Marines was defined as defending the ship's captain, policing the sailors to ensure their obedience to the captain, to defend the ship if attacked, and to be trained infantry, ready to deploy to shore, should the captain deem it necessary.

When the Revolutionary War began, the Continental Navy ships were small, and there were only eight of them to sail and stand against 270 British men of war. The odds were frightening, but the colonists were determined.

A modern rendition of the Continental Marines landing on New Providence (now Nassau) Island. The ship "Wasp" is in the center background and "Providence" is to the right. The two "prize" sloops appear to be ashore on the left.

Modern painting by Charles H. Waterhouse titled First Landing. In the background Alfred is visible. From Marines in the Revolution, 1975.

On March 3, 1776, 250 Continental Marines landed on New Providence Island, and proceeded to march on British controlled, Fort Montague. Montague had 17 guns mounted, but only three cannons fired shots. It was meant to be a gesture of honor to the Marines, rather than in defense of the fort. A few militia arrived, in an attempt to show at least a minor defense, but the muskets they carried were in questionable repair and the small group was not compelled to fight. The Fort surrendered to the 250 and Captain Nicholas decided to spend the night there.

The evening drew on, and while the Marines rested at Fort Montague, the island's governor, Montfort Browne, called a council of the city's leaders to discuss the impending arrival of the Marines. Ultimately, they decided to surrender due to the fort's poor defense and vastly outnumbered.

The next morning, the Marines walked into Fort Nassau and captured it without a single shot being fired.

Although the role of the Marines became significantly smaller throughout the rest of the American Revolution, the first mission to New Providence Island marked the first of many for the next two centuries. The Continental Marines have adapted and grown as needed to become today's defenders known as the United States Marines.

In 1783 the British had surrendered at Yorktown, and Samuel Nicholas, now 39-years-old, had earned the rank of Major,. He returned to the civilian life, resuming work with his business and a social life, back home in Philadelphia.

In 1790 Major Nichols fell ill with yellow fever, during an epidemic of the disease, and died on August 27th.

He is buried in the Quaker Burial Ground for the Society of Friends, established by William Penn, in Philadelphia.

Major Samuel Nichols, USMC

Each year at sunrise, on November 10th, a United States Marine detail is present at Samuel Nichols' grave. They bring a wreath to present honors to Major Nichols, who is now titled Commandant Nichols, and is honored for being the father of the United States Marine Corps.

Sibling Synergy extends their best wishes to the U.S. Marines who, as of this publishing date. November 10, 2012, are celebrating their 237th birthday!

God bless you, ladies and gentlemen of the few and the proud, as well as your loved ones. We are sincerely grateful for your service and sacrifice.

As a late addition, I would like to bid farewell to U.S. Marine, Dusty Tibbs. Dusty was one of the first faces to appear on the Honors page of Sibling Synergy and femme's desk. He walked on from this life only a few days after this article was published. Although I never met Dusty in person, he had become a great friend online and we kept up a frequent correspondence via email. It's with a sad heart I say goodbye for now. Dusty was outspoken about his faith in Christ, and so it's only a matter of time until we meet again ... femme

A link to the article presenting us with the news of Dusty's passing is here for you, written by Fred Baker (Ghost32), a Veteran, Writer and friend, on Hubpages. "50 Caliber Has Left the Building"

Angelia this is marvelous, just righteous history really. I'm not up on the northern part of the Revolutionary War like the south so this was all new to me, thank you my friend. I can only wish to have an article this finely done. Hooray for the marines and Sibling Synergy!

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femmeflashpoint

11/15/2012 05:48:16 am

Alastar,

I saw you'd been here, and I'm so happy you liked it. It's a three-part series dedicated to the history of the Marines as well as some very special folks who have walked on from this life, and several who are still active in their communties although they're no longer full-time military employees. As they say, no such thing as a former Marine.

Thank you again for reading and leaving a comment, Alastar. A nod from the History Master means it's passable and I would hate to let my Corps family down.

femme

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